Paramedic who beat patient sentenced to prison

DENVER - A judge sentenced a paramedic to 12 year in prison after police say he fractured a patient's skull and broke his nose and eye socket on the way to the hospital.

Last month, a Denver jury found Alan Miller guilty of second-degree assault and false reporting in the attack which happened in an ambulance ride to Denver Health Medical Center.

According to court documents first obtained by 9Wants to Know, Miller responded to a call at the home of Tim Smith in southwest Denver on Jan. 3. Smith had suffered a seizure.

When the ambulance arrived at Denver Health Medical Center, Smith's skull was fractured and his nose and eye socket were broken. Smith's wife said he didn't have those injuries when he left their house.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence from another paramedic who was on the call that night. Shaunna King told investigators Miller overreacted to Smith's struggling against his restraints. She said she witnessed Miller repeatedly punch the patient in the head and stomach.

The arrest affidavit says King told police that after the incident Smith was extremely bloody. King also said Smith was "gurgling on his own blood."

Miller first claimed Smith was injured by a police officer, according to court documents obtained by 9Wants to Know.

The officer was called to the scene after the ambulance stopped at West 6th Avenue and Federal Boulevard en route to Denver Health Medical Center when Miller asked for assistance in restraining Smith.

An Internal Affairs investigation by Denver Police cleared the officer of any wrongdoing.

Miller no longer works for Denver Health.

If you have more information on this story or a tip for investigative reporter Jace Larson, call him at 303-871-1432 or e-mail him at jace.larson@9news.com.